The illegally parked vehicle problem, said Murren, is due to race car owners or drivers leaving their trucks and trailers in front of his private garage when they are getting lettering and logo work done at his next-door neighbor's business, Dave Loss's Delco Signs.

"This has been going on for the 25 years he has been there and it is always bad in race season, but it is getting worse all the time," said Murren. "A couple of times a week I am either parked in - or parked out - of my own garage and both ends of the alley are blocked with trucks and trailers."

The problem isn't limited to specific times of the day, said Murren, as he has often been "locked out" of his garage mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

For example, said Murren, toward the end of the school year he was ready to take his grandchildren to school and when he raised his garage door, the area in front of it was completely blocked by a parked truck and trailer, with no driver in sight. The business was not open yet, said Murren, so he could not even go and ask that it be moved.

"The whole problem is that the neighbor has no consideration for anyone else in the area," said Murren.

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"I am not the only one that is being parked out, this affects everyone else that uses that alley."

Councilman Stephen Weaver agreed that Murren's is not the only complaint he has heard on the situation, as other neighbors have also contacted the borough to complain.

Police Chief Michael Woods said that the most recent official complaint about the situation came in on June 27 through Adams County 911, when Murren called because he could not get to his garage.

"We responded and warned them that they can't have anything parked in the alley," said Woods. "They said they would comply."

Contacted by telephone on Thursday after the borough meeting, Dave Loss said the only time a vehicle was parked in the alley for more than the 10 to 15 minutes it takes to unload was the incident on June 27 when there was a sudden and heavy rain storm.

"It was storming bad and a trailer was parked there to pick up a car, but we can't take a $30,000 race car out in a rainstorm so we had to wait a little to load it up. It was probably there about 20 minutes," said Loss. "We have a business here and we have the right to load and unload vehicles, and we do it as quickly as possible."

His business has been there for 25 years, said Loss, and Murren built his garage directly beside it about 12 years ago.

"He (Murren) knew that we were there when he built his garage," said Loss. "He has a good size property and he didn't have to build the garage right beside mine. The problem seems to be that just as soon as a car pulls up to our garage he wants to get out of his garage right then."

Although the unloading and loading of vehicles does mean that they are parked there for a few minutes, said Loss, if a neighbor comes to tell him that the vehicles are in the way, the offending vehicles are moved as quickly as possible.

"I just wish that I had known he was going to be at the borough meeting on Wednesday night," said Loss. "I'd have liked to have been there to defend myself."

At Wednesday's meeting, Murren also questioned if Loss and his crew are allowed to spray paint at that location. Murren alleged that he saw "freshly spray painted items" in the open garage of Delco Signs recently.

If spray painting is being done, said Murren, he is concerned about paint fumes being produced, especially since his grandchildren play in his yard next to the garage.

McSherrystown supervisor Scott Cook said that he checked Loss's original real estate agreement from January 1988 and found that the borough "only okayed hand painting and lettering of trucks and cars" at that location, with no large equipment spray painting allowed.

Cook said that the borough is not aware of any large-item spray painting being done at the site, but would send a letter asking if the operation exists and notifying Loss that, if it does, it must be immediately be stopped.

Loss contends there is no large-item spray painting, or spraying equipment, at his business.

"The only thing we have ever done is a very small amount which is done with spray cans, which is allowed," said Loss.

Borough officials said they would check out the situation and make sure all rules are being followed.

"Since we got a complaint, we will send them a letter to cease and desist spray painting, if they are doing it." said Cook, "We will also remind them that parking in the alley is illegal."

Chief Woods added that anyone who sees illegally parked vehicles in the alley should immediately call 911, as that is the only way to get in touch with the borough police when they are out on duty.

"If we get complaints that they are illegally parked, that's an easy fix. We will take care of it." said Woods, "We will get them to move, or we will have them towed away and they will get a fine. If we start towing you can bet that will get their attention."